When I start to plan something, I create an image in my head. And then I get to work, somewhat manically on recreating that image down to the finest point. It can get a little obsessive, this attention to minute detail, but it is also intensely satisfying if I manage to recreate that vision and put on the best party, or create the perfect room decor, or head out looking spot-on.

Since having children, this obsession has waned in certain areas (my outfits are more of a what’s clean and ironed decision), but in other areas, it’s gone into overdrive. And that’s mainly when it relates to the girls. Their bedrooms need to be like something from an interiors magazine and their parties need to entertain and delight all of their little guests. And don’t even get me started on their wardrobes.

So when I started organising Lottie’s second birthday, Mr M went off to hide in the corner as soon as the invites were printed.

I had decided on a rainbow theme and I wanted everything to be bright, cheerful and colourful. I’ll share the food, cake, decor etc soon, but today I wanted to talk about her dress.

I spent hours looking for her party dress to no avail. I didn’t want pink and fluffy, glittery, or floral. I wanted something bold, but simple and above all, pretty.

Then I stumbled upon The Princess and The Frock. This gorgeous catalogue of dresses is ethically handmade by a lady called Claire in Lancashire. When I saw how beautiful the dresses were, I expected a huge price tag. When something is so carefully created and beautiful, you assume the price will match, but I was really pleasantly surprised to find that a dress will cost somewhere around the £30 – £40 mark, which I think is really very reasonable. There is also a discount code when you sign up for the newsletter AND free postage.

I chose the Sophia dress, blue with white polka dots, a pleated skirt and a bow on the chest. It was exactly what I’d been looking for.

When it arrived, I wasn’t disappointed, the fabric and finish were beautiful and I couldn’t wait to try it on. But when I did, I was gutted to find it was too short. I emailed Claire to ask to return it and went back to start my search again.

But then I got a reply from Claire to say she would alter the dress free of charge and cover the postage for me to send it back. I was so chuffed, as other than the length, it was just perfect. You couldn’t ask for better service than that. I sent it back and the new, longer dress was back with us incredibly quickly, with a lovely gift enclosed as well to apologise for the inconvenience.

When you buy from a High Street store, you pay a person who really has no interest whether the item is kept, returned, loved or hated. In complete contrast, Claire really cares. She wants you to love the dress, she wants it to be perfect for your little one and will go to any lengths to ensure it is.

Lottie looked gorgeous at her party. She had lots of compliments on her dress and above all, it was comfy to dance and play in and looked as good at the end of the day as it did when we first put it on.

I simply cannot recommend this company highly enough.

*DISCLAIMER* I bought this dress and received nothing in return for this review. I just like to share great products and great companies when I’m lucky enough to stumble across them.